A new school year starts this week with classrooms opening in several states, particularly in the south. Already, controversies have broken out over the relationship between testing and the quest for educational quality and equity as a new spike in the COVID-19 pandemic threatens children, their parents and educators. Grassroots activists and policy-maker allies should seize the opportunity to push initiatives that downplay the role of standardized exam scores while promoting better assessment that promote learning and teaching. Let FairTest know how we can help with your local and statewide assessment reform campaigns.
NationalHow K-12 Schools Are Switching Gears on College Prep as ACT/SAT Optional Admission Grows
https://www.k12dive.com/news/how-k-12-schools-are-switching-gears-on-college-prep-as-test-optional-admis/604283/
LouisianaState Considers Suspending Test-Driven School Grades
https://apnews.com/article/health-louisiana-education-coronavirus-pandemic-b8cb333e77acca74089665b746ae8538
Louisiana Virtual Learning Students Score Lower Than Those in Classrooms
https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/education/article_f709036a-f46e-11eb-b15a-df9a73f53a95.html
MassachusettsWith Test Removed as Graduation Hurdle, Man Receives High School Diploma Three Years Later
https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/education/2021/08/09/marlborough-ma-man-receives-diploma-3-years-later-after-mcas-requirements-change/5428533001/
MontanaLicensing Exams and Other Red Tape Are Major Reason for Small School Teacher Shortages
https://hechingerreport.org/teacher-licensing-rules-are-one-reason-small-schools-dont-have-enough-teachers/
North CarolinaNew Report Demonstrates Racial Discrimination in School “Accountability” System
https://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2021/08/04/new-justice-center-report-details-north-carolinas-discriminatory-school-accountability-system/
OregonGovernor Signs Legislation Suspending Graduation Testing Requirements for Three Years
https://www.foxnews.com/us/oregon-governor-signs-bill-suspending-math-reading-proficiency-requirements-for-hs-graduates
PennsylvaniaProspective Educators of Color Have Higher Failure Rate on State Licensing Exam
https://philadelphia.chalkbeat.org/2021/8/3/22607712/would-be-teachers-of-color-pass-pennsylvania-licensing-exams-at-lower-than-average-rates
TennesseePandemic Takes Toll on Test Results, As Expected
https://www.southernstandard.com/top-stories/local-headlines/pandemic-takes-toll-states-academic-results/
TexasEveryone Has Experienced “Learning Loss,” and We Are Still OK!
https://elpasoheraldpost.com/you-have-experienced-learning-loss-are-you-ok/
University AdmissionEnding ACT/SAT Requirements Will Help Make Higher Ed. an Engine of Social Mobility
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/08/04/satact-scores-college-admissions-diversity/
University Admission Two-Thirds of U.S. Colleges and Universities Will Not Require Tests From Fall 2022 Applicants
https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/08/09/two-thirds-4-year-colleges-will-not-require-tests-admissions
Worth ReadingDon’t Ignore Damaging Impacts of High-Stakes Testing Mandates
https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2021/08/02/30992/
Worth Reading Do Third Grade Tests Predict Anything Meaningful?
http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2021/08/do-3rd-grade-tests-predict-anything.html
Bob Schaeffer, Executive Director
FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
office-(239) 395-6773 mobile-(239) 699-0468
web-https://fairtest.org.org
email-bobschaeffer@fairtest.orgFB